「なんなん」: When the Japanese want to exclaim 'Wait, what?'

If you've lived in Japan for a while, you've probably heard Japanese people, especially the younger generation, exclaim a very peculiar-sounding word: 「なんなん？」. This isn't a grammatical error, but a very common communication "weapon" in daily life, encapsulating an indescribable emotion that textbooks never teach.

With over 10 years of experience, I'll "dissect" this word for you so you can use it like a pro!

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🤔 What is 「なんなん」?

Simply put, 「なんなん」 is a super casual and somewhat "slang" way of saying:

• 何なの (nan na no?)
• なんなんだ (nan nan da?)

Its literal meaning is still "What is it?", but its emotional nuance is much richer.

🎭 When to use「なんなん」?

This is where you show you're a "pro" at Japanese. The Japanese use 「なんなん」 when they feel a combination of several emotions:

1. Confusion & Surprise 🤯

When you witness an event, an action, or a statement that is hard to understand or explain. It's exactly like saying "Wait, what?" or "What on earth is that?" in English.

Example: You and a friend are walking down the street and see someone wearing a strange outfit.

You: 「見て、あの人…」 (Look at that person...) Your Japanese friend: 「え、なんなん、あれ…？」 (Huh, what on earth is that...?)

2. Annoyance & Slight Irritation 😠

When someone has an annoying attitude or does something unreasonable that slightly irritates you. 「なんなん」 in this case carries a light tone of reproach, like "What's with that attitude?" or "What are you playing at?".

Example: You ask your best friend a question and they give a curt reply.

You: 「さっきから機嫌悪いけど、なんかあった？」(You've been in a bad mood for a while, what's up?) Best friend: 「別に。」(Nothing.) You (thinking to yourself): 「なんなん、その態度…」 (What's with that attitude...)

3. Exclaiming to yourself 🗣️

Sometimes, it's just an exclamation that pops out when you encounter an unexpected annoyance.

Example: Your computer suddenly freezes while you're working.

「もう、なんなん！」(Seriously, what is this!)

⚠️ Important Note

• Purely spoken language: Absolutely do not use it in work emails or with superiors and clients! This is the language of friends, family, or when you're mumbling to yourself.
• Be careful with your tone: Depending on the intonation, 「なんなん」 can sound like you're starting a fight. Make sure you use it with a curious, surprised tone instead of a sharp one.

✨ Conclusion

By mastering the use of 「なんなん」, you've taken another step on the path to speaking Japanese as naturally as breathing. It shows that you not only understand the language, but also grasp the very real, everyday emotions of the Japanese people.

Next time you encounter something "hard to deal with," instead of 「何ですか？」, try exclaiming 「なんなん？」. I guarantee your Japanese friends will be surprised! 😉